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Penglong T, Pholngam N, Tehyoh N, Tansila N, Buncherd H, Thanapongpichat S, Srinoun K. Expression of microRNA-155 in thalassemic erythropoiesis. PeerJ 2024; 12:e18054. [PMID: 39314840 PMCID: PMC11418816 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ineffective erythropoiesis (IE) is the primary cause of anemia and associated pathologies in β-thalassemia. The characterization of IE is imbalance of erythroid proliferation and differentiation, resulting in increased erythroblast proliferation that fails to differentiate and gives rise to enucleate RBCs. MicroRNAs (miRs) are known to play important roles in hematopoiesis. miR-155 is a multifunctional molecule involved in both normal and pathological hematopoiesis, and its upregulation is observed in patients with β-thalassemia/HbE. However, the expression and function of miR-155, especially in β-thalassemia, have not yet been explored. Methods To study miR-155 expression in thalassemia, erythroblast subpopulations, CD45-CD71+Ter-119+ and CD45-CD71-Ter-119+ were collected from β IVSII-654 thalassemic bone marrow. Additionally, a two-phase culture of mouse bone marrow erythroid progenitor cells was performed. Expression of miR-155 and predicted mRNA target genes, c-myc, bach-1 and pu-1, were determined by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and normalized to small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) 202 and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), respectively. To investigate the effect of miR-155 expression, erythroblasts were transfected with miR-inhibitor and -mimic in order to elevate and eliminate miR-155 expression, respectively. Erythroid cell differentiation was evaluated by Wright-Giemsa staining and flow cytometry. Results miR-155 was upregulated, both in vivo and in vitro, during erythropoiesis in β-thalassemic mice. Our study revealed that gain- and loss of function of miR-155 were involved in erythroid proliferation and differentiation, and augmented proliferation and differentiation of thalassemic mouse erythroblasts may be associated with miR-155 upregulation. miR-155 upregulation in β-thalassemic mice significantly increased the percentage of basophilic and polychromatic erythroblasts. Conversely, a significant decrease in percentage of basophilic and polychromatic erythroblasts was observed in β-thalassemic mice transfected with anti-miR-155 inhibitor. We also examined the mRNA targets (c-myc, bach-1 and pu-1) of miR-155, which indicated that c-myc is a valid target gene of miR-155 that regulates erythroid differentiation. Conclusion miR-155 regulates IE in β-thalassemia via c-myc expression controlling erythroblast proliferation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tipparat Penglong
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Nuttanan Pholngam
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Nasra Tehyoh
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Natta Tansila
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | - Hansuk Buncherd
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | | | - Kanitta Srinoun
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
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Lv A, Li J, Chen M, Wang W, Xu L, Huang H. Global Trends on β-Thalassemia Research Over 10 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:3989-4001. [PMID: 39281038 PMCID: PMC11402362 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s479493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Thalassemia, an inherited quantitative globin disorder, is the most prevalent monogenic disease globally. While severe alpha thalassemia results in intrauterine death, β-thalassemia manifests during childhood due to the "second conversion of hemoglobin", garnering increased attention in recent decades. Methods In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted of thalassemia articles published in the Web of Science Core Collection database between 2013 and 2023 to establish a comprehensive overview and to identify emerging trends. A total of 5655 studies published between 2013 and 2023 were systematically retrieved, and annual publications demonstrated a steady increase, maintaining a high level over the past decade. Results The United States contributed the highest number of publications, followed by China. Notably, the journal Blood emerged as the leading authority in β-thalassemia research. Analysis of research hotspots revealed that the pathogenesis of β-thalassemia is primarily linked to iron overload, anemia, gene mutations, and ineffective erythropoiesis. Furthermore, recent studies focusing on gene editing therapies present promising avenues for future investigation. Conclusion These findings grasp the research status of β-thalassemia and shed new light on future research frontiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aixiang Lv
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingmin Li
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Meihuan Chen
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Liangpu Xu
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailong Huang
- Medical Genetic Diagnosis and Therapy Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory for Prenatal Diagnosis and Birth Defect, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
- College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People's Republic of China
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Rujito L, Wardana T, Siswandari W, Nainggolan IM, Sasongko TH. Potential Use of MicroRNA Technology in Thalassemia Therapy. J Clin Med Res 2024; 16:411-422. [PMID: 39346566 PMCID: PMC11426174 DOI: 10.14740/jocmr5245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Thalassemia encompasses a group of inherited hemoglobin disorders characterized by reduced or absent production of the α- or β-globin chains, leading to anemia and other complications. Current management relies on lifelong blood transfusions and iron chelation, which is burdensome for patients. This review summarizes the emerging therapeutic potential of modulating microRNAs (miRNAs) to treat thalassemia. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression through sequence-specific binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs). While they commonly repress gene expression by binding to the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of target mRNAs, miRNAs can also interact with 5'UTRs and gene promoters to activate gene expression. Many miRNAs are now recognized as critical regulators of erythropoiesis and are abnormally expressed in β-thalassemia. Therapeutically restoring levels of deficient miRNAs or inhibiting overexpression through miRNA mimics or inhibitors (antagomir), respectively, has shown preclinical efficacy in ameliorating thalassemic phenotypes. The miR-144/451 cluster is especially compelling for targeted upregulation to reactivate fetal hemoglobin synthesis. Advances in delivery systems are addressing previous challenges in stability and targeting of miRNA-based drugs. While still early, gene therapy studies suggest combinatorial approaches with miRNA modulation may provide synergistic benefits. Several key considerations remain including enhancing delivery, minimizing off-target effects, and demonstrating long-term safety and efficacy. While no miRNA therapies have yet progressed to clinical testing for thalassemia specifically, important lessons are being learned through clinical trials for other diseases and conditions, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and viral. If limitations can be overcome through multi-disciplinary collaboration, miRNAs hold great promise to expand and transform treatment options for thalassemia in the future by precisely targeting pathogenic molecular networks. Ongoing innovations, such as advancements in miRNA delivery systems, improved targeting mechanisms, and enhanced understanding of miRNA biology, continue to drive progress in this emerging field towards realizing the clinical potential of miRNA-based medicines for thalassemia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lantip Rujito
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia
| | - Tirta Wardana
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia
| | - Wahyu Siswandari
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Indonesia
| | - Ita Margaretha Nainggolan
- Clinical Pathology Department, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Teguh Haryo Sasongko
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kualalumpur, Malaysia
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Wake M, Palin A, Belot A, Berger M, Lorgouilloux M, Bichon M, Papworth J, Bayliss L, Grimshaw B, Rynkiewicz N, Paterson J, Poindron A, Spearing E, Carter E, Hudson R, Campbell M, Petzer V, Besson-Fournier C, Latour C, Largounez A, Gourbeyre O, Fay A, Coppin H, Roth MP, Theurl I, Germaschewski V, Meynard D. A human anti-matriptase-2 antibody limits iron overload, α-globin aggregates, and splenomegaly in β-thalassemic mice. Blood Adv 2024; 8:1898-1907. [PMID: 38241484 PMCID: PMC11021894 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023012010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Iron plays a major role in the deterioration of β-thalassemia. Indeed, the high levels of transferrin saturation and iron delivered to erythroid progenitors are associated with production of α-globin precipitates that negatively affect erythropoiesis. Matriptase-2/TMPRSS6, a membrane-bound serine protease expressed in hepatocytes, negatively modulates hepcidin production and thus is a key target to prevent iron overload in β-thalassemia. To address safety concerns raised by the suppression of Tmprss6 by antisense oligonucleotides or small interfering RNA, we tested a fully human anti-matriptase-2 antibody, RLYB331, which blocks the protease activity of matriptase-2. When administered weekly to Hbbth3/+ mice, RLYB331 induced hepcidin expression, reduced iron loading, prevented the formation of toxic α-chain/heme aggregates, reduced ros oxygen species formation, and improved reticulocytosis and splenomegaly. To increase the effectiveness of RLYB331 in β-thalassemia treatment even further, we administered RLYB331 in combination with RAP-536L, a ligand-trapping protein that contains the extracellular domain of activin receptor type IIB and alleviates anemia by promoting differentiation of late-stage erythroid precursors. RAP-536L alone did not prevent iron overload but significantly reduced apoptosis in the erythroid populations of the bone marrow, normalized red blood cell counts, and improved hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. Interestingly, the association of RLYB331 with RAP-536L entirely reversed the β-thalassemia phenotype in Hbbth3/+ mice and simultaneously corrected iron overload, ineffective erythropoiesis, splenomegaly, and hematological parameters, suggesting that a multifunctional molecule consisting of the fusion of RLYB331 with luspatercept (human version of RAP-536L) would allow administration of a single medication addressing simultaneously the different pathophysiological aspects of β-thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Wake
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Anaïs Palin
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Audrey Belot
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Mathieu Berger
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Megane Lorgouilloux
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Margot Bichon
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Luke Bayliss
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Jemima Paterson
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alicia Poindron
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Erin Spearing
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Carter
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Robyne Hudson
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Millie Campbell
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Verena Petzer
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Céline Besson-Fournier
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Chloé Latour
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Amélie Largounez
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Ophélie Gourbeyre
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Alexis Fay
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Hélène Coppin
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Marie-Paule Roth
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Igor Theurl
- Kymab Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Delphine Meynard
- Institut de Recherche en Santé Digestive, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'alimentation et l'Environnement, École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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Tang P, Wang H. Regulation of erythropoiesis: emerging concepts and therapeutic implications. Hematology 2023; 28:2250645. [PMID: 37639548 DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2023.2250645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The process of erythropoiesis is complex and involves the transfer of cells from the yolk sac to the fetal hepar and, ultimately, to the bone marrow during embryonic development. Within the bone marrow, erythroid progenitor cells undergo several stages to generate reticulocytes that enter the bloodstream. Erythropoiesis is regulated by various factors, with erythropoietin (EPO) synthesized by the kidney being the promoting factor and hepcidin synthesized by the hepar inhibiting iron mobilization. Transcription factors, such as GATA and KLF, also play a crucial role in erythropoiesis. Disruption of any of these factors can lead to abnormal erythropoiesis, resulting in red cell excess, red cell deficiency, or abnormal morphological function. This review provides a general description of erythropoiesis, as well as its regulation, highlighting the significance of understanding the process for the diagnosis and treatment of various hematological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Tang
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Huaquan Wang
- Department of Hematology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
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Phannasil P, Sukhuma C, Nauphar D, Nuamsee K, Svasti S. Up-regulation of microRNA 101-3p during erythropoiesis in β-thalassemia/HbE. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2023; 103:102781. [PMID: 37478523 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2023.102781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Ineffective erythropoiesis is the main cause of anemia in β-thalassemia. The crucial hallmark of ineffective erythropoiesis is the high proliferation of erythroblast. microRNA (miR/miRNA) involves several biological processes, including cell proliferation and erythropoiesis. miR-101 was widely studied and associated with proliferation in several types of cancer. However, the miR-101-3p has not been studied in β-thalassemia/HbE. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the expression of miR-101-3p during erythropoiesis in β-thalassemia/HbE. The results showed that miR-101-3p was upregulated in the erythroblast of β-thalassemia/HbE patients on day 7, indicating that miR-101-3p may be involved with high proliferation in β-thalassemia/HbE. Therefore, the mRNA targets of miR-101-3p including Rac1, SUB1, TET2, and TRIM44 were investigated to determine the mechanisms involved with high proliferation of β-thalassemia/HbE erythroblasts. Rac1 expression was significantly reduced at day 11 in severe β-thalassemia/HbE compared to normal controls and mild β-thalassemia/HbE. SUB1 gene expression was significantly lower in severe β-thalassemia/HbE compared to normal controls at day 9 of culture. For TET2 and TRIM44 expression, a significant difference was not observed among normal and β-thalassemia/HbE. However, the high expression of miR-101-3p at day 7 and these target genes was not correlated, suggesting that this miRNA may regulate ineffective erythropoiesis in β-thalassemia/HbE via other target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phatchariya Phannasil
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Chanyanat Sukhuma
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Donny Nauphar
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta Pusat 10430, Indonesia; Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Swadaya Gunung Jati, Cirebon 45132, West-Java, Indonesia
| | - Khanita Nuamsee
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | - Saovaros Svasti
- Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
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Saeidnia M, Fazeli P, Farzi A, Atefy Nezhad M, Shabani-Borujeni M, Erfani M, Tamaddon G, Karimi M. An Expert Overview on Therapies in Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia: Classical to Cutting Edge in Treatment. Hemoglobin 2023:1-15. [PMID: 37325871 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2022.2158099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The thalassemia issue is a growing worldwide health concern that anticipates the number of patients suffering from the disease will soon increase significantly. Patients with β-thalassemia intermedia (β-TI) manifest mild to intermediate levels of anemia, which is a reason for it to be clinically located between thalassemia minor and β-thalassemia major (β-TM). Notably, the determination of the actual rate of β-TI is more complicated than β-TM. The leading cause of this illness could be partial repression of β-globin protein production; accordingly, the rate of β-globin gene repression is different in patients, and the gene repression intensity creates a different clinical status. This review article provides an overview of functional mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of the classic to latest new treatments for this group of patients, depending on the disease severity divided into the typical management strategies for patients with β-TI such as fetal hemoglobin (Hb) induction, splenectomy, bone marrow transplantation (BMT), transfusion therapy, and herbal and chemical iron chelators. Recently, novel erythropoiesis-stimulating agents have been added. Novel strategies are subclassified into molecular and cellular interventions. Genome editing is one of the efficient molecular therapies for improving hemoglobinopathies, especially β-TI. It encompasses high-fidelity DNA repair (HDR), base and prime editing, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 procedure, nuclease-free strategies, and epigenetic modulation. In cellular interventions, we mentioned the approach pattern to improve erythropoiesis impairments in translational models and patients with β-TI that involve activin II receptor traps, Janus-associated kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitors, and iron metabolism regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammadreza Saeidnia
- Department of Hematology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Clinical Research Development Unit, Emam Khomeini Hospital, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Pooria Fazeli
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Trauma Research Center, Rajaee (Emtiaz) Trauma Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Arghavan Farzi
- School of Medicine, International Department Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Maryam Atefy Nezhad
- Department of Biology, Sciences Faculty, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, of Zarqān, Zarqān, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Shabani-Borujeni
- Department of Pharmacotherapy, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehran Erfani
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Para-Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Gholamhossein Tamaddon
- Diagnostic Laboratory Sciences and Technology Research Center, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mehran Karimi
- Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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8
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Macrophages: key players in erythrocyte turnover. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther 2022; 44:574-581. [PMID: 36117137 PMCID: PMC9605915 DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of red blood cells (RBCs), or erythropoiesis, occurs in specialized niches in the bone marrow, called erythroblastic islands, composed of a central macrophage surrounded by erythroblasts at different stages of differentiation. Upon anemia or hypoxemia, erythropoiesis extends to extramedullary sites, mainly spleen and liver, a process known as stress erythropoiesis, leading to the expansion of erythroid progenitors, iron recruitment and increased production of reticulocytes and mature RBCs. Macrophages are key cells in both homeostatic and stress erythropoiesis, providing conditions for erythroid cells to survive, proliferate and differentiate. During RBCs aging and injury, macrophages play a fundamental role again, performing the clearance of these cells and recycling iron for new erythroblasts in development. Thus, macrophages are crucial components of the RBCs turnover and in this review, we aimed to cover the main known mechanisms involved in the process of birth and death of RBCs, highlighting the importance of macrophage functions in the whole RBC lifecycle.
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Abstract
Thalassaemia is a diverse group of genetic disorders with a worldwide distribution affecting globin chain synthesis. The pathogenesis of thalassaemia lies in the unbalanced globin chain production, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis, increased haemolysis, and deranged iron homoeostasis. The clinical phenotype shows heterogeneity, ranging from close to normal without complications to severe requiring lifelong transfusion support. Conservative treatment with transfusion and iron chelation has transformed the natural history of thalassaemia major into a chronic disease with a prolonged life expectancy, albeit with co-morbidities and substantial disease burden. Curative therapy with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is advocated for suitable patients. The understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease is guiding therapeutic advances. Novel agents have shown efficacy in improving anaemia and transfusion burden, and initial results from gene therapy approaches are promising. Despite scientific developments, worldwide inequality in the access of health resources is a major concern, because most patients live in underserved areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonis Kattamis
- Division of Paediatric Haematology-Oncology, First Department of Paediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Janet L Kwiatkowski
- Division of Haematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Paediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yesim Aydinok
- Department of Paediatric Heamatology and Oncology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey
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Magis W, DeWitt MA, Wyman SK, Vu JT, Heo SJ, Shao SJ, Hennig F, Romero ZG, Campo-Fernandez B, Said S, McNeill MS, Rettig GR, Sun Y, Wang Y, Behlke MA, Kohn DB, Boffelli D, Walters MC, Corn JE, Martin DI. High-level correction of the sickle mutation is amplified in vivo during erythroid differentiation. iScience 2022; 25:104374. [PMID: 35633935 PMCID: PMC9130532 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A point mutation in sickle cell disease (SCD) alters one amino acid in the β-globin subunit of hemoglobin, with resultant anemia and multiorgan damage that typically shortens lifespan by decades. Because SCD is caused by a single mutation, and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can be harvested, manipulated, and returned to an individual, it is an attractive target for gene correction. Results An optimized Cas9 ribonucleoprotein (RNP) with an ssDNA oligonucleotide donor together generated correction of at least one β-globin allele in more than 30% of long-term engrafting human HSCs. After adopting a high-fidelity Cas9 variant, efficient correction with minimal off-target events also was observed. In vivo erythroid differentiation markedly enriches for corrected β-globin alleles, indicating that erythroblasts carrying one or more corrected alleles have a survival advantage. Significance These findings indicate that the sickle mutation can be corrected in autologous HSCs with an optimized protocol suitable for clinical translation. The gene editing protocol corrects the sickle mutation in ∼30% of engrafting cells Random assortment of engrafting stem cell clones without clonal dominance was shown Corrected erythroid cells are preferentially enriched compared with unedited cells
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11
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Prime Editor 3 Mediated Beta-Thalassemia Mutations of the HBB Gene in Human Erythroid Progenitor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095002. [PMID: 35563395 PMCID: PMC9099916 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently developed Prime Editor 3 (PE3) has been implemented to induce genome editing in various cell types but has not been proven in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Using PE3, we successfully installed the beta-thalassemia (beta-thal) mutations in the HBB gene in the erythroid progenitor cell line HUDEP-2. We inserted the mCherry reporter gene cassette into editing plasmids, each including the prime editing guide RNA (pegRNA) and nick sgRNA. The plasmids were electroporated into HUDEP-2 cells, and the PE3 modified cells were identified by mCherry expression and collected using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Sanger sequencing of the positive cells confirmed that PE3 induced precise beta-thal mutations with editing ratios from 4.55 to 100%. Furthermore, an off-target analysis showed no unintentional edits occurred in the cells. The editing ratios and parameters of pegRNA and nick sgRNA were also analyzed and summarized and will contribute to enhanced PE3 design in future studies. The characterization of the HUDEP-2 beta-thal cells showed typical thalassemia phenotypes, involving ineffective erythropoiesis, abnormal erythroid differentiation, high apoptosis rate, defective alpha-globin colocalization, cell viability deterioration, and ROS resisting deficiency. These HUDEP-2 beta-thal cells could provide ideal models for future beta-thal gene therapy studies.
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12
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Madan U, Bhasin H, Dewan P, Madan J. Improving Ineffective Erythropoiesis in Thalassemia: A Hope on the Horizon. Cureus 2021; 13:e18502. [PMID: 34754662 PMCID: PMC8567967 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta-thalassemia is an inherited hemoglobinopathy characterized by the impaired synthesis of beta-globin chains of hemoglobin leading to chronic hemolytic anemia. The mainstay of treatment for most patients remains regular blood transfusions and iron chelation. This conventional therapy has many limitations and challenges. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is the only available curative treatment but the availability of a suitable donor, financial constraints, and a need for specialist physicians can be limiting factors. Gene therapy is an upcoming curative therapeutic modality. An increased understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of thalassemia has paved the way for novel pharmacological agents targeting ineffective erythropoiesis. These drugs act by decreasing transfusion requirements and hence decrease transfusion-related complications. The present review intends to provide an insight into the recent advances in pharmacological agents targeting ineffective erythropoiesis. Literature was searched and relevant articles evaluating newer drugs in thalassemia were collected from databases, including Pubmed, Scopus, Prospero, Clinicaltrials.gov, Google Scholar, and the Google search engine. We used the following keywords: thalassemia, novel, treatment, drugs, and ineffective erythropoiesis during the initial search. Relevant titles and abstracts were screened to choose relevant articles. Further, the full-text articles were retrieved and relevant cross-references were scanned to collect information for the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ujjwal Madan
- Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, IND
| | - Himani Bhasin
- Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, IND
| | - Pooja Dewan
- Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, IND
| | - Jyotsna Madan
- Pathology, Super Speciality Pediatric Hospital and Post Graduate Teaching Institute, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, IND
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13
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Lal A, Wong T, Keel S, Pagano M, Chung J, Kamdar A, Rao L, Ikeda A, Puthenveetil G, Shah S, Yu J, Vichinsky E. The transfusion management of beta thalassemia in the United States. Transfusion 2021; 61:3027-3039. [PMID: 34453453 PMCID: PMC9292563 DOI: 10.1111/trf.16640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ashutosh Lal
- Pediatric Hematology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Trisha Wong
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Siobán Keel
- Division of Hematology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Monica Pagano
- Division of Hematology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jong Chung
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Aditi Kamdar
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Latha Rao
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Valley Children's Hospital, Madera, California, USA
| | - Alan Ikeda
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Specialty Center of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
| | - Geetha Puthenveetil
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California, USA
| | - Sanjay Shah
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Jennifer Yu
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Elliott Vichinsky
- Pediatric Hematology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
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14
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Sinha S, Pereira-Reis J, Guerra A, Rivella S, Duarte D. The Role of Iron in Benign and Malignant Hematopoiesis. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 35:415-432. [PMID: 33231101 PMCID: PMC8328043 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Iron is an essential element required for sustaining a normal healthy life. However, an excess amount of iron in the bloodstream and tissue generates toxic hydroxyl radicals through Fenton reactions. Henceforth, a balance in iron concentration is extremely important to maintain cellular homeostasis in both normal hematopoiesis and erythropoiesis. Iron deficiency or iron overload can impact hematopoiesis and is associated with many hematological diseases. Recent Advances: The mechanisms of action of key iron regulators such as erythroferrone and the discovery of new drugs, such as ACE-536/luspatercept, are of potential interest to treat hematological disorders, such as β-thalassemia. New therapies targeting inflammation-induced ineffective erythropoiesis are also in progress. Furthermore, emerging evidences support differential interactions between iron and its cellular antioxidant responses of hematopoietic and neighboring stromal cells. Both iron and its systemic regulator, such as hepcidin, play a significant role in regulating erythropoiesis. Critical Issues: Significant pre-clinical studies are on the way and new drugs targeting iron metabolism have been recently approved or are undergoing clinical trials to treat pathological conditions with impaired erythropoiesis such as myelodysplastic syndromes or β-thalassemia. Future Directions: Future studies should explore how iron regulates hematopoiesis in both benign and malignant conditions. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 415-432.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayantani Sinha
- Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joana Pereira-Reis
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Amaliris Guerra
- Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Stefano Rivella
- Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Cell and Molecular Biology Affinity Group (CAMB), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Delfim Duarte
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Onco-Hematology, Instituto Português de Oncologia (IPO), Porto, Portugal
- Unit of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedicine, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto (FMUP), Porto, Portugal
- Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), Porto, Portugal
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15
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Taher AT, Cappellini MD. Luspatercept for β-thalassemia: beyond red blood cell transfusions. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2021; 21:1363-1371. [PMID: 34404288 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2021.1968825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Red blood cell transfusions and iron chelation therapy are the cornerstone of treatment for β-thalassemia, with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and gene therapy offering further disease-management options for eligible patients. With up to 90% of severe cases of β-thalassemia occurring in resource-constrained countries, and estimates indicating that 22,500 deaths occur annually as a direct consequence of undertransfusion, provision of adequate treatment remains a major issue. AREAS COVERED In this review, we provide an overview of luspatercept, a first-in-class erythroid maturation agent, and present the available clinical data related to the treatment of β-thalassemia. EXPERT OPINION The recent approval of luspatercept offers a new, long-term therapeutic option for adult patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia to reduce red blood cell transfusion burden, anemia, and iron overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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16
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Ineffective Erythropoiesis in β-Thalassaemia: Key Steps and Therapeutic Options by Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137229. [PMID: 34281283 PMCID: PMC8268821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
β-thalassaemia is a rare genetic condition caused by mutations in the β-globin gene that result in severe iron-loading anaemia, maintained by a detrimental state of ineffective erythropoiesis (IE). The role of multiple mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of the disease has been recently unravelled. The unbalanced production of α-globin is a major source of oxidative stress and membrane damage in red blood cells (RBC). In addition, IE is tightly linked to iron metabolism dysregulation, and the relevance of new players of this pathway, i.e., hepcidin, erythroferrone, matriptase-2, among others, has emerged. Advances have been made in understanding the balance between proliferation and maturation of erythroid precursors and the role of specific factors in this process, such as members of the TGF-β superfamily, and their downstream effectors, or the transcription factor GATA1. The increasing understanding of IE allowed for the development of a broad set of potential therapeutic options beyond the current standard of care. Many candidates of disease-modifying drugs are currently under clinical investigation, targeting the regulation of iron metabolism, the production of foetal haemoglobin, the maturation process, or the energetic balance and membrane stability of RBC. Overall, they provide tools and evidence for multiple and synergistic approaches that are effectively moving clinical research in β-thalassaemia from bench to bedside.
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17
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Tefferi A. New drugs for myeloid neoplasms with ring sideroblasts: Luspatercept vs imetelstat. Am J Hematol 2021; 96:761-763. [PMID: 33861878 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.26197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ayalew Tefferi
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine Mayo Clinic Rochester Minnesota USA
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18
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Grech L, Borg K, Borg J. Novel therapies in β-thalassaemia. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 88:2509-2524. [PMID: 34004015 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Beta-thalassaemia is one of the most significant haemoglobinopathies worldwide resulting in the synthesis of little or no β-globin chains. Without treatment, β-thalassaemia major is lethal within the first decade of life due to the complex pathophysiology, which leads to wide clinical manifestations. Current clinical management for these patients depends on repeated transfusions followed by iron-chelating therapy. Several novel approaches to correct the resulting α/β-globin chain imbalance, treat ineffective erythropoiesis and improve iron overload are currently being developed. Up to now, the only curative treatment for β-thalassemia is haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, but this is a risky and costly procedure. Gene therapy, gene editing and base editing are emerging as a powerful approach to treat this disease. In β-thalassaemia, gene therapy involves the insertion of a vector containing the normal β-globin or γ-globin gene into haematopoietic stem cells to permanently produce normal red blood cells. Gene editing and base editing involves the use of zinc finger nucleases, transcription activator-like nucleases and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 to either correct the causative mutation or else insert a single nucleotide variant that will increase foetal haemoglobin. In this review, we will examine the current management strategies used to treat β-thalassaemia and focus on the novel therapies targeting ineffective erythropoiesis, improving iron overload and correction of the globin chain imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Grech
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Malta
| | - Karen Borg
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Ministry for Health, Malta
| | - Joseph Borg
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, University of Malta, Malta.,Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Malta
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19
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Lodberg A. Principles of the activin receptor signaling pathway and its inhibition. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2021; 60:1-17. [PMID: 33933900 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This review captures the anabolic and stimulatory effects observed with inhibition of the transforming growth factor β superfamily in muscle, blood, and bone. New medicinal substances that rectify activin, myostatin, and growth differentiation factor 11 signaling give hope to the many whose lives are affected by deterioration of these tissues. The review first covers the origin, structure, and common pathway of activins, myostatin, and growth differentiation factor 11 along with the pharmacodynamics of the new class of molecules designed to oppose the activin receptor signaling pathway. Current terminology surrounding this new class of molecules is inconsistent and does not infer functionality. Adopting inhibitors of the activin receptor signaling pathway (IASPs) as a generic term is proposed because it encapsulates the molecular mechanisms along the pathway trajectory. To conclude, a pragmatic classification of IASPs is presented that integrates functionality and side effects based on the data available from animals and humans. This provides researchers and clinicians with a tool to tailor IASPs therapy according to the need of projects or patients and with respect to side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lodberg
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Department of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, Aarhus University Hospital, Wilhelm Meyers Allé, DK-8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
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20
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Feola M, Zamperone A, Moskop D, Chen H, Casu C, Lama D, Di Martino J, Djedaini M, Papa L, Martinez MR, Choesang T, Bravo-Cordero JJ, MacKay M, Zumbo P, Brinkman N, Abrams CS, Rivella S, Hattangadi S, Mason CE, Hoffman R, Ji P, Follenzi A, Ginzburg YZ. Pleckstrin-2 is essential for erythropoiesis in β-thalassemic mice, reducing apoptosis and enhancing enucleation. Commun Biol 2021; 4:517. [PMID: 33941818 PMCID: PMC8093212 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02046-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Erythropoiesis involves complex interrelated molecular signals influencing cell survival, differentiation, and enucleation. Diseases associated with ineffective erythropoiesis, such as β-thalassemias, exhibit erythroid expansion and defective enucleation. Clear mechanistic determinants of what make erythropoiesis effective are lacking. We previously demonstrated that exogenous transferrin ameliorates ineffective erythropoiesis in β-thalassemic mice. In the current work, we utilize transferrin treatment to elucidate a molecular signature of ineffective erythropoiesis in β-thalassemia. We hypothesize that compensatory mechanisms are required in β-thalassemic erythropoiesis to prevent apoptosis and enhance enucleation. We identify pleckstrin-2-a STAT5-dependent lipid binding protein downstream of erythropoietin-as an important regulatory node. We demonstrate that partial loss of pleckstrin-2 leads to worsening ineffective erythropoiesis and pleckstrin-2 knockout leads to embryonic lethality in β-thalassemic mice. In addition, the membrane-associated active form of pleckstrin-2 occurs at an earlier stage during β-thalassemic erythropoiesis. Furthermore, membrane-associated activated pleckstrin-2 decreases cofilin mitochondrial localization in β-thalassemic erythroblasts and pleckstrin-2 knockdown in vitro induces cofilin-mediated apoptosis in β-thalassemic erythroblasts. Lastly, pleckstrin-2 enhances enucleation by interacting with and activating RacGTPases in β-thalassemic erythroblasts. This data elucidates the important compensatory role of pleckstrin-2 in β-thalassemia and provides support for the development of targeted therapeutics in diseases of ineffective erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Feola
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- University of Piemonte Orientale, Amedeo Avogadro, Novara, Italy
| | - Andrea Zamperone
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Moskop
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huiyong Chen
- Erythropoiesis Laboratory, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Carla Casu
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dechen Lama
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julie Di Martino
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mansour Djedaini
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Luena Papa
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc Ruiz Martinez
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tenzin Choesang
- Erythropoiesis Laboratory, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | - Paul Zumbo
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Charles S Abrams
- Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ronald Hoffman
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Peng Ji
- Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- University of Piemonte Orientale, Amedeo Avogadro, Novara, Italy
| | - Yelena Z Ginzburg
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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21
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Taher AT, Viprakasit V, Cappellini MD, Kraus D, Cech P, Volz D, Winter E, Nave S, Dukart J, Khwaja O, Koerner A, Hermosilla R, Brugnara C. Haematological effects of oral administration of bitopertin, a glycine transport inhibitor, in patients with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassaemia. Br J Haematol 2021; 194:474-477. [PMID: 33931857 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ali T Taher
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Vip Viprakasit
- Department of Pediatrics and Siriraj Thalassemia Center, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Dominik Kraus
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Cech
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Dietmar Volz
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erica Winter
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephane Nave
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Juergen Dukart
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany.,Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Omar Khwaja
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Annette Koerner
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ricardo Hermosilla
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Brugnara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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22
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Correcting β-thalassemia by combined therapies that restrict iron and modulate erythropoietin activity. Blood 2021; 136:1968-1979. [PMID: 32556142 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019004719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Thalassemia intermedia is a disorder characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis (IE), anemia, splenomegaly, and systemic iron overload. Novel approaches are being explored based on the modulation of pathways that reduce iron absorption (ie, using hepcidin activators like Tmprss6-antisense oligonucleotides [ASOs]) or increase erythropoiesis (by erythropoietin [EPO] administration or modulating the ability of transferrin receptor 2 [Tfr2] to control red blood cell [RBC] synthesis). Targeting Tmprss6 messenger RNA by Tmprss6-ASO was proven to be effective in improving IE and splenomegaly by inducing iron restriction. However, we postulated that combinatorial strategies might be superior to single therapies. Here, we combined Tmprss6-ASO with EPO administration or removal of a single Tfr2 allele in the bone marrow of animals affected by β-thalassemia intermedia (Hbbth3/+). EPO administration alone or removal of a single Tfr2 allele increased hemoglobin levels and RBCs. However, EPO or Tfr2 single-allele deletion alone, respectively, exacerbated or did not improve splenomegaly in β-thalassemic mice. To overcome this issue, we postulated that some level of iron restriction (by targeting Tmprss6) would improve splenomegaly while preserving the beneficial effects on RBC production mediated by EPO or Tfr2 deletion. While administration of Tmprss6-ASO alone improved the anemia, the combination of Tmprss6-ASO + EPO or Tmprss6-ASO + Tfr2 single-allele deletion produced significantly higher hemoglobin levels and reduced splenomegaly. In conclusion, our results clearly indicate that these combinatorial approaches are superior to single treatments in ameliorating IE and anemia in β-thalassemia and could provide guidance to translate some of these approaches into viable therapies.
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23
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Grzywa TM, Justyniarska M, Nowis D, Golab J. Tumor Immune Evasion Induced by Dysregulation of Erythroid Progenitor Cells Development. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:870. [PMID: 33669537 PMCID: PMC7922079 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer cells harness normal cells to facilitate tumor growth and metastasis. Within this complex network of interactions, the establishment and maintenance of immune evasion mechanisms are crucial for cancer progression. The escape from the immune surveillance results from multiple independent mechanisms. Recent studies revealed that besides well-described myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) or regulatory T-cells (Tregs), erythroid progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in the regulation of immune response and tumor progression. EPCs are immature erythroid cells that differentiate into oxygen-transporting red blood cells. They expand in the extramedullary sites, including the spleen, as well as infiltrate tumors. EPCs in cancer produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and express programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and potently suppress T-cells. Thus, EPCs regulate antitumor, antiviral, and antimicrobial immunity, leading to immune suppression. Moreover, EPCs promote tumor growth by the secretion of growth factors, including artemin. The expansion of EPCs in cancer is an effect of the dysregulation of erythropoiesis, leading to the differentiation arrest and enrichment of early-stage EPCs. Therefore, anemia treatment, targeting ineffective erythropoiesis, and the promotion of EPC differentiation are promising strategies to reduce cancer-induced immunosuppression and the tumor-promoting effects of EPCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz M. Grzywa
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (T.M.G.); (M.J.)
- Doctoral School, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Magdalena Justyniarska
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (T.M.G.); (M.J.)
| | - Dominika Nowis
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jakub Golab
- Department of Immunology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland; (T.M.G.); (M.J.)
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Carraway HE, Saygin C. Therapy for lower-risk MDS. HEMATOLOGY. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF HEMATOLOGY. EDUCATION PROGRAM 2020; 2020:426-433. [PMID: 33275714 PMCID: PMC7727572 DOI: 10.1182/hematology.2020000127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are characterized by the presence of dysplasia, low bone marrow blast percentage, low number and depth of cytopenia(s), and relatively good-risk karyotpic and molecular abnormalities. A score of ≤3.5 on the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System classifies patients as lower-risk MDS. Information from a mutational profile of the MDS at time of diagnosis (and over serial time points) can be reassuring for predicted behavior of lower-risk MDS compared with one expected to progress more rapidly (higher-risk MDS). Supportive care continues to be the crux of treatment, although the options to reduce transfusion needs have improved in 2020. Erythropoiesis stimulating agents, lenalidomide, and luspatercept address the most frequent (and symptomatic) cytopenia (anemia) and are started only when patients are transfusion dependent. Patients can derive long-term benefits (years) from these approaches but will often progress to higher-risk MDS. Interestingly, some patients with lower-risk MDS can present with an isolated thrombocytopenia for which thrombopoietin receptor analogs such as romiplostim and eltrombopag are options (as long as blast counts are low). The presence of pancytopenia and or intensifying and unremitting clinical symptoms are often treated with hypomethylating agents or (anti-thymocyte globulin if hypocellular MDS is of concern). Targeted therapies are emerging for small subsets of MDS patients with specific somatic mutations (ie, TP53, IDH1/2, FLT3), although currently, there are no approved, mutation-directed medications to treat MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hetty E. Carraway
- Leukemia Program, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH; and
| | - Caner Saygin
- Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Cleveland, OH
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25
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Tantanate C. Red blood cell and reticulocyte-related parameters in adult patients with β-thalassemia diseases. Int J Lab Hematol 2020; 43:e12-e16. [PMID: 32931141 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.13333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chaicharoen Tantanate
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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26
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Hamed EM, Meabed MH, Aly UF, Hussein RRS. Recent Progress in Gene Therapy and Other Targeted Therapeutic Approaches for Beta Thalassemia. Curr Drug Targets 2020; 20:1603-1623. [PMID: 31362654 DOI: 10.2174/1389450120666190726155733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Beta-thalassemia is a genetic disorder characterized by the impaired synthesis of the betaglobin chain of adult hemoglobin. The disorder has a complex pathophysiology that affects multiple organ systems. The main complications of beta thalassemia are ineffective erythropoiesis, chronic hemolytic anemia and hemosiderosis-induced organ dysfunction. Regular blood transfusions are the main therapy for beta thalassemia major; however, this treatment can cause cardiac and hepatic hemosiderosis - the most common cause of death in these patients. This review focuses on unique future therapeutic interventions for thalassemia that reverse splenomegaly, reduce transfusion frequency, decrease iron toxicity in organs, and correct chronic anemia. The targeted effective protocols include hemoglobin fetal inducers, ineffective erythropoiesis correctors, antioxidants, vitamins, and natural products. Resveratrol is a new herbal therapeutic approach which serves as fetal Hb inducer in beta thalassemia. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is the only curative therapy for beta thalassemia major and is preferred over iron chelation and blood transfusion for ensuring long life in these patients. Meanwhile, several molecular therapies, such as ActRIIB/IgG1 Fc recombinant protein, have emerged to address complications of beta thalassemia or the adverse effects of current drugs. Regarding gene correction strategies, a phase III trial called HGB-207 (Northstar-2; NCT02906202) is evaluating the efficacy and safety of autologous cell transplantation with LentiGlobin. Advanced gene-editing approaches aim to cut DNA at a targeted site and convert HbF to HbA during infancy, such as the suppression of BCL11A (B cell lymphoma 11A), HPFH (hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin) and zinc-finger nucleases. Gene therapy is progressing rapidly, with multiple clinical trials being conducted in many countries and the promise of commercial products to be available in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Hamed
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy; Faculty of Pharmacy; Nahda University, Nahda, Egypt
| | | | - Usama Farghaly Aly
- Asso. Professor of Pharmaceutics; Faculty of Pharmacy; Minia University, Minya, Egypt
| | - Raghda R S Hussein
- Lecturer of Clinical Pharmacy; Faculty of Pharmacy; Beni- Suef University, Egypt
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Paulson RF, Hariharan S, Little JA. Stress erythropoiesis: definitions and models for its study. Exp Hematol 2020; 89:43-54.e2. [PMID: 32750404 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Steady-state erythropoiesis generates new erythrocytes at a constant rate, and it has enormous productive capacity. This production is balanced by the removal of senescent erythrocytes by macrophages in the spleen and liver. Erythroid homeostasis is highly regulated to maintain sufficient erythrocytes for efficient oxygen delivery to the tissues, while avoiding viscosity problems associated with overproduction. However, there are times when this constant production of erythrocytes is inhibited or is inadequate; at these times, erythroid output is increased to compensate for the loss of production. In some cases, increased steady-state erythropoiesis can offset the loss of erythrocytes but, in response to inflammation caused by infection or tissue damage, steady-state erythropoiesis is inhibited. To maintain homeostasis under these conditions, an alternative stress erythropoiesis pathway is activated. Emerging data suggest that the bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4)-dependent stress erythropoiesis pathway is integrated into the inflammatory response and generates a bolus of new erythrocytes that maintain homeostasis until steady-state erythropoiesis can resume. In this perspective, we define the mechanisms that generate new erythrocytes when steady-state erythropoiesis is impaired and discuss experimental models to study human stress erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Paulson
- Center for Molecular Immunology and Infectious Disease and the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA; Intercollege Graduate Program in Genetics, Penn State University, University Park, PA.
| | - Sneha Hariharan
- Intercollege Graduate Program in Genetics, Penn State University, University Park, PA
| | - Jane A Little
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program, Chapel Hill, NC
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Erythropoiesis is a complex multistep process going from committed erythroid progenitors to mature red cells. Although recent advances allow the characterization of some components of erythropoiesis, much still remains to be investigated particularly on stress erythropoiesis. This review summarizes recent progresses made to understand the impact of oxidative stress on normal and pathologic erythropoiesis. RECENT FINDINGS During erythroid maturation, reactive oxygen species might function as second messenger through either transient oxidation of cysteine residues on signaling targets or modulation of intracellular signaling pathways. Thus, in erythropoiesis, efficient cytoprotective systems are required to limit possible reactive oxygen species-related toxic effects especially in stress erythropoiesis characterized by severe oxidation such as β-thalassemia. In addition, prolonged or severe oxidative stress impairs autophagy, which might contribute to the block of erythroid maturation in stress erythropoiesis. Understanding the functional role of cytoprotective systems such as peroxiredoxin-2 or classical molecular chaperones such as the heat shock proteins will contribute to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for ineffective erythropoiesis. SUMMARY We provide an update on cytoprotective mechanisms against oxidation in normal and stress erythropoiesis. We discuss the role of oxidative sensors involved in modulation of intracellular signaling during erythroid maturation process in normal and stress erythropoiesis.
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Terán MM, Mónaco ME, Lazarte SS, Haro C, Ledesma Achem E, Asensio NA, Issé BA. Genetic Regulation of Redox Balance in β-Thalassemia Trait. Hemoglobin 2020; 44:122-127. [PMID: 32448013 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2020.1765794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
β-Thalassemia (β-thal) trait is a heterogeneous group of genetic defects leading to decreased β-globin production, ineffective erythropoiesis, and oxidative stress. The aim is to evaluate the cytoprotective response, at transcriptional and systemic levels, of the variations of global redox balance in β-thal trait patients. Sixty-six subjects (40 healthy and 26 with β-thal trait) were analyzed at the Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina, between 2016 and 2017. The following parameters were evaluated: complete blood count, iron status, hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis, Hb A2, thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), serum catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, FOXO3a, NRF2, SOD, PRDX2, CAT, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene expression. The β-thal trait group showed a decrease in Hb levels, MCV, and MCH with higher TBARS levels. The SOD activity was significantly increased by 32.0% in β-thal trait patients respect to the control group. Relative expression of NRF2 was 4.7-fold higher in β-thal trait than in the control group, while FOXO3a expression was similar in both groups. The SOD, PRDX2, and proinflammatory cytokines transcriptional expression was significantly upregulated in β-thal trait patients. This is the first study on the genetic regulation of redox balance in β-thal trait patients in which interesting modifications were observed in the transcript levels of some redox regulators that could be associated with changes in the erythrocyte proteome in this disorder. A better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms present in these heterozygous patients would allow adequate therapy in situations such as growth, pregnancy, or high performance sports, favoring a personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena M Terán
- Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria (INBIOFAL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnològicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Maria E Mónaco
- Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Sandra S Lazarte
- Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Haro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina.,Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria (INBIOFAL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnològicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Emilse Ledesma Achem
- Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Natalia A Asensio
- Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Blanca A Issé
- Instituto de Bioquímica Aplicada, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
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30
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Bogdanova A, Kaestner L, Simionato G, Wickrema A, Makhro A. Heterogeneity of Red Blood Cells: Causes and Consequences. Front Physiol 2020; 11:392. [PMID: 32457644 PMCID: PMC7221019 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mean values of hematological parameters are currently used in the clinical laboratory settings to characterize red blood cell properties. Those include red blood cell indices, osmotic fragility test, eosin 5-maleimide (EMA) test, and deformability assessment using ektacytometry to name a few. Diagnosis of hereditary red blood cell disorders is complemented by identification of mutations in distinct genes that are recognized "molecular causes of disease." The power of these measurements is clinically well-established. However, the evidence is growing that the available information is not enough to understand the determinants of severity of diseases and heterogeneity in manifestation of pathologies such as hereditary hemolytic anemias. This review focuses on an alternative approach to assess red blood cell properties based on heterogeneity of red blood cells and characterization of fractions of cells with similar properties such as density, hydration, membrane loss, redox state, Ca2+ levels, and morphology. Methodological approaches to detect variance of red blood cell properties will be presented. Causes of red blood cell heterogeneity include cell age, environmental stress as well as shear and metabolic stress, and multiple other factors. Heterogeneity of red blood cell properties is also promoted by pathological conditions that are not limited to the red blood cells disorders, but inflammatory state, metabolic diseases and cancer. Therapeutic interventions such as splenectomy and transfusion as well as drug administration also impact the variance in red blood cell properties. Based on the overview of the studies in this area, the possible applications of heterogeneity in red blood cell properties as prognostic and diagnostic marker commenting on the power and selectivity of such markers are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Bogdanova
- Red Blood Cell Research Group, Vetsuisse Faculty, The Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZHIP), Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lars Kaestner
- Experimental Physics, Dynamics of Fluids, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Theoretical Medicine and Biosciences, Medical Faculty, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Greta Simionato
- Experimental Physics, Dynamics of Fluids, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Amittha Wickrema
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Asya Makhro
- Red Blood Cell Research Group, Vetsuisse Faculty, The Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZHIP), Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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31
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Martinez PA, Li R, Ramanathan HN, Bhasin M, Pearsall RS, Kumar R, Suragani RNVS. Smad2/3-pathway ligand trap luspatercept enhances erythroid differentiation in murine β-thalassaemia by increasing GATA-1 availability. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:6162-6177. [PMID: 32351032 PMCID: PMC7294138 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In β‐thalassaemia, anaemia results from ineffective erythropoiesis characterized by inhibition of late‐stage erythroid differentiation. We earlier used luspatercept and RAP‐536 protein traps for certain Smad2/3‐pathway ligands to implicate Smad2/3‐pathway overactivation in dysregulated erythroid differentiation associated with murine β‐thalassaemia and myelodysplasia. Importantly, luspatercept alleviates anaemia and has been shown to reduce transfusion burden in patients with β‐thalassaemia or myelodysplasia. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying luspatercept action and pSmad2/3‐mediated inhibition of erythroid differentiation. In murine erythroleukemic (MEL) cells in vitro, ligand‐mediated overactivation of the Smad2/3 pathway reduced nuclear levels of GATA‐1 (GATA‐binding factor‐1) and its transcriptional activator TIF1γ (transcription intermediary factor 1γ), increased levels of reactive oxygen species, reduced cell viability and haemoglobin levels, and inhibited erythroid differentiation. Co‐treatment with luspatercept in MEL cells partially or completely restored each of these. In β‐thalassaemic mice, RAP‐536 up‐regulated Gata1 and its target gene signature in erythroid precursors determined by transcriptional profiling and gene set enrichment analysis, restored nuclear levels of GATA‐1 in erythroid precursors, and nuclear distribution of TIF1γ in erythroblasts. Bone marrow cells from β‐thalassaemic mice treated with luspatercept also exhibited restored nuclear availability of GATA‐1 ex vivo. Our results implicate GATA‐1, and likely TIF1γ, as key mediators of luspatercept/RAP‐536 action in alleviating ineffective erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Li
- Acceleron Pharma, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Manoj Bhasin
- BIDMC Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA
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32
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Tibaldi E, Federti E, Matte A, Iatcenko I, Wilson AB, Riccardi V, Pagano MA, De Franceschi L. Oxidation Impacts the Intracellular Signaling Machinery in Hematological Disorders. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9040353. [PMID: 32344529 PMCID: PMC7222375 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9040353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The dynamic coordination between kinases and phosphatases is crucial for cell homeostasis, in response to different stresses. The functional connection between oxidation and the intracellular signaling machinery still remains to be investigated. In the last decade, several studies have highlighted the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as modulators directly targeting kinases, phosphatases, and downstream modulators, or indirectly acting on cysteine residues on kinases/phosphatases resulting in protein conformational changes with modulation of intracellular signaling pathway(s). Translational studies have revealed the important link between oxidation and signal transduction pathways in hematological disorders. The intricate nature of intracellular signal transduction mechanisms, based on the generation of complex networks of different types of signaling proteins, revealed the novel and important role of phosphatases together with kinases in disease mechanisms. Thus, therapeutic approaches to abnormal signal transduction pathways should consider either inhibition of overactivated/accumulated kinases or homeostatic signaling resetting through the activation of phosphatases. This review discusses the progress in the knowledge of the interplay between oxidation and cell signaling, involving phosphatase/kinase systems in models of globally distributed hematological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Tibaldi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.T.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Enrica Federti
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (E.F.); (A.M.); (I.I.); (A.B.W.); (V.R.)
| | - Alessandro Matte
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (E.F.); (A.M.); (I.I.); (A.B.W.); (V.R.)
| | - Iana Iatcenko
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (E.F.); (A.M.); (I.I.); (A.B.W.); (V.R.)
| | - Anand B. Wilson
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (E.F.); (A.M.); (I.I.); (A.B.W.); (V.R.)
| | - Veronica Riccardi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (E.F.); (A.M.); (I.I.); (A.B.W.); (V.R.)
| | - Mario Angelo Pagano
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.T.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Lucia De Franceschi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona and AOUI Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (E.F.); (A.M.); (I.I.); (A.B.W.); (V.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-045-812-4401
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Screening Readthrough Compounds to Suppress Nonsense Mutations: Possible Application to β-Thalassemia. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020289. [PMID: 31972957 PMCID: PMC7073686 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several types of thalassemia (including β039-thalassemia) are caused by nonsense mutations in genes controlling globin production, leading to premature translation termination and mRNA destabilization mediated by the nonsense mediated mRNA decay. Drugs (for instance, aminoglycosides) can be designed to suppress premature translation termination by inducing readthrough (or nonsense suppression) at the premature termination codon. These findings have introduced new hopes for the development of a pharmacologic approach to cure this genetic disease. In the present review, we first summarize the principle and current status of the chemical relief for the expression of functional proteins from genes otherwise unfruitful for the presence of nonsense mutations. Second, we compare data available on readthrough molecules for β0-thalassemia. The examples reported in the review strongly suggest that ribosomal readthrough should be considered as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of β0-thalassemia caused by nonsense mutations. Concluding, the discovery of molecules, exhibiting the property of inducing β-globin, such as readthrough compounds, is of great interest and represents a hope for several patients, whose survival will depend on the possible use of drugs rendering blood transfusion and chelation therapy unnecessary.
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34
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Casu C, Chessa R, Liu A, Gupta R, Drakesmith H, Fleming R, Ginzburg YZ, MacDonald B, Rivella S. Minihepcidins improve ineffective erythropoiesis and splenomegaly in a new mouse model of adult β-thalassemia major. Haematologica 2019; 105:1835-1844. [PMID: 31582543 PMCID: PMC7327634 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.212589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Minihepcidins are hepcidin agonists that have been previously shown to reverse iron overload and improve erythropoiesis in mice affected by non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Given the extreme anemia that occurred with the previous model of transfusion-dependent thalassemia, that model was inadequate for investigating whether minihepcidins can improve red blood cell quality, lifespan and ineffective erythropoiesis. To overcome this limitation, we generated a new murine model of transfusion-dependent thalassemia with severe anemia and splenomegaly, but sufficient red cells and hemoglobin production to test the effect of minihepcidins. Furthermore, this new model demonstrates cardiac iron overload for the first time. In the absence of transfusions, minihepcidins improved red blood cell morphology and lifespan as well as ineffective erythropoiesis. Administration of a minihepcidin in combination with chronic red blood cell transfusion further improved the ineffective erythropoiesis and splenomegaly and reversed cardiac iron overload. These studies indicate that drugs such as minihepcidins have therapeutic potential for patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Casu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Roberta Chessa
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Alison Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ritama Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hal Drakesmith
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert Fleming
- Department of Pediatrics, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yelena Z Ginzburg
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Stefano Rivella
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Rivella S. Iron metabolism under conditions of ineffective erythropoiesis in β-thalassemia. Blood 2019; 133:51-58. [PMID: 30401707 PMCID: PMC6318430 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-07-815928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
β-Thalassemia (BT) is an inherited genetic disorder that is characterized by ineffective erythropoiesis (IE), leading to anemia and abnormal iron metabolism. IE is an abnormal expansion of the number of erythroid progenitor cells with unproductive synthesis of enucleated erythrocytes, leading to anemia and hypoxia. Anemic patients affected by BT suffer from iron overload, even in the absence of chronic blood transfusion, suggesting the presence of ≥1 erythroid factor with the ability to modulate iron metabolism and dietary iron absorption. Recent studies suggest that decreased erythroid cell differentiation and survival also contribute to IE, aggravating the anemia in BT. Furthermore, hypoxia can also affect and increase iron absorption. Understanding the relationship between iron metabolism and IE could provide important insights into the BT condition and help to develop novel treatments. In fact, genetic or pharmacological manipulations of iron metabolism or erythroid cell differentiation and survival have been shown to improve IE, iron overload, and anemia in animal models of BT. Based on those findings, new therapeutic approaches and drugs have been proposed; clinical trials are underway that have the potential to improve erythrocyte production, as well as to reduce the iron overload and organ toxicity in BT and in other disorders characterized by IE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Rivella
- Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; and Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Beneduce E, Matte A, De Falco L, Mbiandjeu S, Chiabrando D, Tolosano E, Federti E, Petrillo S, Mohandas N, Siciliano A, Babu W, Menon V, Ghaffari S, Iolascon A, De Franceschi L. Fyn kinase is a novel modulator of erythropoietin signaling and stress erythropoiesis. Am J Hematol 2019; 94:10-20. [PMID: 30252956 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.25295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The signaling cascade induced by the interaction of erythropoietin (EPO) with its receptor (EPO-R) is a key event of erythropoiesis. We present here data indicating that Fyn, a Src-family-kinase, participates in the EPO signaling-pathway, since Fyn-/- mice exhibit reduced Tyr-phosphorylation of EPO-R and decreased STAT5-activity. The importance of Fyn in erythropoiesis is also supported by the blunted responsiveness of Fyn-/- mice to stress erythropoiesis. Fyn-/- mouse erythroblasts adapt to reactive oxygen species (ROS) by activating the redox-related-transcription-factor Nrf2. However, since Fyn is a physiologic repressor of Nrf2, absence of Fyn resulted in persistent-activation of Nrf2 and accumulation of nonfunctional proteins. ROS-induced over-activation of Jak2-Akt-mTOR-pathway and repression of autophagy with perturbation of lysosomal-clearance were also noted. Treatment with Rapamycin, a mTOR-inhibitor and autophagy activator, ameliorates Fyn-/- mouse baseline erythropoiesis and erythropoietic response to oxidative-stress. These findings identify a novel multimodal action of Fyn in the regulation of normal and stress erythropoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alessandro Matte
- Department of Medicine; University of Verona, AOUI Verona; Verona Italy
| | - Luigia De Falco
- Department of Biochemistry; Federico II University; Naples Italy
| | - Serge Mbiandjeu
- Department of Medicine; University of Verona, AOUI Verona; Verona Italy
| | - Deborah Chiabrando
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Emanuela Tolosano
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | - Enrica Federti
- Department of Medicine; University of Verona, AOUI Verona; Verona Italy
| | - Sara Petrillo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences; University of Torino; Torino Italy
| | | | - Angela Siciliano
- Department of Medicine; University of Verona, AOUI Verona; Verona Italy
| | - Wilson Babu
- Department of Medicine; University of Verona, AOUI Verona; Verona Italy
| | - Vijay Menon
- Department of Cell, Development and Regenerative Biology; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York New York
| | - Saghi Ghaffari
- Department of Cell, Development and Regenerative Biology; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; New York New York
| | - Achille Iolascon
- Department of Biochemistry; Federico II University; Naples Italy
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Abstract
Hepcidin agonists are a new class of compounds that regulate blood iron levels, limit iron absorption, and could improve the treatment of hemochromatosis, β-thalassemia, polycythemia vera, and other disorders in which disrupted iron homeostasis causes or contributes to disease. Hepcidin agonists also have the potential to prevent severe complications of siderophilic infections in patients with iron overload or chronic liver disease. This review highlights the preclinical studies that support the development of hepcidin agonists for the treatment of these disorders.
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Ayyash H, Sirdah M. Hematological and biochemical evaluation of β-thalassemia major (βTM) patients in Gaza Strip: A cross-sectional study. Int J Health Sci (Qassim) 2018; 12:18-24. [PMID: 30534039 PMCID: PMC6257880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In Gaza Strip, Palestine, β-thalassemia is a major public health problem where more than 300 β-thalassemia major (βTM) patients are currently being managed at governmental hospitals. We set up to evaluate the hematological and biochemical aspects of our βTM patients at the Gaza European hospital and their correlation with iron overload. METHODS Our study included 65 transfusion-dependent βTM, as well as 37 apparently healthy subjects as control group. The hematological and biochemical evaluations included complete blood count, coagulation profile liver and kidney function tests, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and serum ferritin. RESULTS Deteriorated hematological and biochemical statuses were reported in both males and females of βTM patients as compared to the control group. Statistical comparisons showed no significant differences between males and females βTM patients in all parameters except for total cholesterol. The results concerning the splenectomized versus non-splenectomized patients revealed significantly higher values in splenectomized patients for white blood cell (WBC), platelet, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, total protein, cholesterol, and potassium concentration compared to the non-splenectomized patients. Patients infected with hepatitis C virus and/or hepatitis B virus showed significant decrease in WBC count as compared to infection free patients, while for serum urea and creatinine, the virally infected βTM patients revealed significantly higher values compared to infection free patients. CONCLUSION This study justified the necessity for strengthening the efforts for regular evaluation and follow-up of the βTM patients which could be used to improve or modify the management protocols and thus ameliorating their deteriorated hematological and biochemical status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hani Ayyash
- Department of Hematology, European Gaza Hospital, Khanyounis, Gaza Strip, Palestine,Address for correspondence: Dr. Hani Ayyash, Department of Hematology, European Gaza Hospital, Khanyounis, Gaza Strip, Palestine. Tel.: +970599822637. E-mail:
| | - Mahmoud Sirdah
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University-Gaza, P O Box 1277, Gaza, Palestine
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